Self-draining knives and scrapers for sugar mills



Dec. 31,1957 L. BARRETO 2,818,013

SELF-DRAINING KNIVES AND SCRAPERS FOR SUGAR MILLS Filed May 1, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l Lad/s/aa Barrefa IN VEN TOR.

BY @m M /12m Li BARRETO 2,818,013 SELF-DRAINING KNIVES AND SCRAPERS FOR SUGAR MILLS Dec. 31, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1, 1952 Ladis/ao Barreta INVENTORI 1 BY W Ammq:

SELF-DRAINING KNIVES AND SCRAPERS FOR SUGAR MILLS Ladislao Barreto, Havana, Cuba Application May 1, 1952, Serial No. 285,497

7 Claims. (or. 100-114 This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in self-draining knives and scrapers for sugar mills and generally pertainsto an improvedturn plate having, self-draining knives or teeth together with scrapers ,hav-.'

plate having integral teeth thereonforcooperating with the lower crushing and grinding ro-lls together with a the.upper and,

scraper blade construction for usewith lower grinding rolls of sugar mill.

These, together withvarious ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds,.are.attained ,by the present invention, a preferred embodiment whichhas been illustrated, by way of example only, in view of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical transverse section through a portion of the conventional form of sugar mill illustrating the association of the upper roller and: the lower crushing and grinding rollers togetherzwith the turnplate knivesand the scraperblades operatively-assor.

ciated therewith;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal,sectional'detail' view taken substantiallyupon the; plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figure 1 and showing the manner in which the turnplate and its knives-or teeth are associated with the lower crushing and grinding rollers; a

Figure 3 is a horizontalsectional;detail view, 'ta ken substantially upon the plane indicated by the sectionline' 33 of Figure 1 and showing the manner inwhich the scraper assembly is associated with the upper; roller ot':

the mill;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view-of a portion of the turnplate member having two sets'of knives" or teeth upon its edges for cooperation with the knives of the lower crushing and grinding rollers respectively;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional detail. view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 4; M l I Figure 6 is a'fragmentary. perspective view of a"por-' tion of one of the scraper blade assemblies adapted to States Patent cooperate with eitherthe upper or-lower grinding rollers of the sugar mills; and Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectional taken substantially upon the tion line 77 of Figure 6.

In the process of producing cane sugarfrom sugar cane it is customary in the-initial stages thereof top'ass the sugar cane stalks through a sugar cane'milh'wherebythe stalks are crushed orbroken, are then mashed and detail view' plane indicated 'by'the seccrushing roller 18. and serves to 2,818,013 Patented D ec. 3i1, 1957,

these elements have occasioned excessive wear upon the annular knives of the three rollers; and at times have.

become clogged with the stalks and fiber of the cane and interfered with the extraction of. the juice=to such an extent that it has frequently become necessary to shut down the mill while the rollers and knives are being cleaned.

It is-therefore the primary. intent of this invention to provide a construction which will avoid theaforesaid wear upon the knives of the three rollers of the mill; which will facilitate the passage of juiceand bagasse from the stalks of cane passing through the rollers; and which will greatlyincrease the effective life and operation. of the rollers and other parts of thesugar mill.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, attention being.

directed first to Figure, 1 wherein it .will be seen that stalks of cane indicated at 10 are delivered by a belt conveyor or the like 12 into the sugar cane mill. -The are journaled three cylindrical rollers. These rollers-in-' elude an upper roller 16 together with a pair of lower rollers cooperating therewith. These lower rollers con--' sist. of a crushing roller 18 and a grinding roller 20;

The upper and lower rollers 16 and 18 constituting the crushing rollers of the cane mill are positioned closely adjacent the conveyor 12 whereby the cane stalks'delivered thereby will drop down upon the lower roller' 18 and be carried thereby between the rollers-I6 and 18. v .The spacing between these rollers is sufficient to crush or sever the cane. roller 16 is the further lower roller '20, which isspaced from the upper roller with a much closer fit than the passing the rollers 16 and 18. I

To facilitate this crushing, cutting and grinding action, each of the rollers is provided with annular knives indicated at 22 upon the upper roller, at 24 upon the lower crushing roller, and at 26 upon the lower grinding roller.

Disposed below the upper roller 16 and positioned between the pair of lower rollers 18 and 20 is a turnplate 28. This member is removably mounted upon the supporting member 30 carried by or forming a part of the frame 14, being detachably secured thereto as by fastening bolts or the like 32, these bolts extending through the bolt apertures 34, the turnplate structure being more clearly shown in the detail views of Figures 4 and 5.

The turnplate extends along the entire length of the three rollers and upon its bottom surface is provided with a longitudinally extending rib 36 extending below the bottom surface 38'of the turnplate, this rib serving to assist in positioning the turnplate with respect to the lower rollers 18 and 20, and upon the supporting member 30, as will be readily apparent from Figure 1. I The upper surface of the turnplate is concaved in crosssection, as indicated at 40, and is preferably complementary to the periphery or circumference of the upper roller 16 and is equidistantly spaced from the same over the entire area of the surface 40.- Theclearance between Cooperating with the upper grind the crushed cane- 3 the surface 40 and the lower portion of the circumference of 'tIiE iippe'i" r'dller'"16' is" preferably such as has been found to be most efficient for handling of the sugar cane stalks in the sugar mill.

Upfon' wa tage the turnplate 28 which is adjacent to the, lower crushing roller '18, the turnplate is" provided witlifa pluralityf 'of teeth or knives 4 2 which a re' tapered so as tobe interdigitated with and to' fit between the an nu lar knives 24 of the lower crushing roller 18. As Will be best apparent from Figures 4 and 5, the lower surface of the turnplate is'provided with a rearwardly sloping surface 44 underlying each of the teeth 42 As will be readily apparent from Figures 4 and 5, this sloping undersurfaee prevides Y-shaped teeth which fit closely between the adjacent annular knives 24 of the lower crushing roller "18 to provide a close elearance therebetween. Thus, although the, turnplat'e'teeth closely approach the knives, theydo not mechanically touch the same there y a'iioidingw'eai upon theturiiplate and'th e knives.

'Extendingbetweeneach of'thc teeth 42 is a V-shaped groove 46 formed upon that edge of the turnplate to receive the V- shaped annular knives. From the'inward portion of these grooves there is provided an inwardly extending slot or channel 48 which slopes downwardly through the turnplate from its upper to its lower surface as will be best apparent from Figure 5. Thus,,the cane juice and the bagasse extracted from the cane stalks by the upper and lower crushing rollers 16 and 18fmay collect in and 'pass through the grooves and channels to the underside of the turnplate and be collected for further processing. However, the crushedand cut stalks er cane cannot pass between the teeth and the knives andther'efore pass across the upper surface of the turnplate to the upper and lower grinding rollers 16 and 20.

The other longitudinal edge of the turnplate 28 is provided with a plurality of drainage channels 50 which lie between a second set of teeth 52 which cooperate with the annular knives 26 of the lower grinding roller 20. As will be apparent from Figure 4, the outer ends of the channels 50 communicate with the space between the knives 26 to further discharge juice and bagasse between the turnplateand the lower grinding roller. i

As so far described, it will now be apparent that the turnplate avoids direct mechanical contact with the two lower crushing and grindingrollers, but is in sufiiciently close interdigitated. relationship with the annular knives as to prevent passage of stalks of cane therebetween, while permitting free flow of juice, and bagassetherethrough. At the same time, upper surface, ofthe turnplate passes the cane stalks on the crushing roller to the grinding roller.

A much closer spacing of the teeth ofthe, upper roller and, the grinding roller serve to finally comminute and grind the stalks to complete the extraction of: juice and bagasse from the same.

In order to maintain the annular knives of the upper roller 16 and the lower grinding roller 20 free of fibers or particles of. the cane stalks, which might interfere with their, efiicien t functioning in the grinding operation, there are provided upperand lower. scraper members. The, latter consists of elongated beams 54 and 56 whichmay form apart of or be fixedly secured to the supporting frame 14, and which are r espectively, provided with Ion-r gitudinally spaced sockets 58 and which by means of fastening bolts 62 and 64, removably secure a pair. of scraper members 66v and 68 therein. Since these mem;

bers are of. identical construction, the description of one will'sufii ce for that of the other, and accordingly the member 6:6has been illustrated in Figures 3, 6 and 7. t

'The member 66 extends substantially the entire length of the rollers 16' and 20 and is provided with an "up standing longitudinal rib 70 which is seated in the socket 58twith the shoulder 72-abutting against the ends of'the beam 54 to be 'removably retained in the beam. The member 66 is arcuatelyi shaped transversely of the machine, as will betreadily, apparent from Figure 7, and: at. its oppesite edge, from the rib, .0, is, p ovided with a lur lit 9 b ades .4-, Th s bl des Provided with V-shaped thoth surfaces 76 on their ends, which are interdigitated with the adjacent annular teeth of the associated roller. As in the case of the teeth on the turnplate, the blades 74 with the surface 76 are closely spaced relative to the annular knives 22 and 26 of the rollers 16 and 20 to provide a close working fit but avoid actual mechanical contact therewith. Thus, any material carried'b y the knives will be scraped therefrom, but the wear of a direct physical contact between these members will be avoided,

Between each of the scrapers 74 there is provided a groove 78 to provide the above-mentioned clearance with the annular knives, and each of these grooves communicates with a rearwardly extending channel 80 which extends entirely through the member 66. The channels provide means for draining the cane juice and bagasse which might stick, to the annular knives and prevent the same from clogging the scraper blades.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that provision has been made for discharging juice and bagasse from between the rollers and for maintaining the upper and lower grinding rollers and their annular knives in a clean condition, while avoiding the detrimental wear occasioned by direct mechanical contact of these elements. At the same time, the construction is one which will permitof rteady inspection and replacement or servicing, although greatly increasing the period of useful operation of the sugar mill without servicing.

Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described'the invention, what is claimed as new 1. In a sugar cane mill having an upper roller operatively associated with a lower crushing roller and a lower grinding roller, each of said rollers having annular knives thereon, and a turnplate disposed between said lower rollers, said turnplate having a first set of teeth interdigitated with the knives of the lower crushing roller and a second set of teeth cooperating with the knives of the grinding roller, said first set of teeth having grooves therebetween receiving the knives of the lower crushing roller and providing a clearance therefor, said turnplate having a channel therethroughcommunicating with each groove for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, said second set of teeth having. grooves thercbetween discharging into the space betweenthe knives oi the lower grinding roller for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, said turnplatehaving a concave upper surface. equidistant from the upper roller, said last named grooves extending tangentially from the central portion ofsaid turnplate and sidcwise towards said second set of teeth.

2. In a sugar cane mill having an upper roller operatively associated witha lower crushinglroller and a lower grinding roller, each of said rollers having annular knives thereon, aturnplateldisposed between said lower rollers, said turnplate having a firstvset of teeth intercligitated with the knivesof thetlower crushing roller and a second set of teeth cooperating with the knives of the grinding roller, said first set of teeth having grooves therebetween receiving the knivesvof the lower crushing roller and providing a clearance therefor, saidr turnplate having a channel therethrough communicating with each groove for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, saidsecond set of teeth having grooves therebetweendischarging into the space between thetknivesofthelower grinding roller for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, said turnplate havinga concave upper surface, saidlast named grooves extending tangentially from the. central portion of said upper surfaceand sidewisettowards'saidsecond set of teeth, and a scraper. comprising amember extending thelength of one of said rollers and positioned closely against thereto, said member having a plurality of blades interdigitated with the knives of said roller, said member having grooves between said blades receiving said knives in closely spaced relation, said grooves having channels communicating therewith and extending through said member.

3. In a sugar cane mill having an upper roller operatively associated with a lower crushing roller and a lower grinding roller, each of said rollers having annular knives thereon, a turnplate disposed between said lower rollers, said turnplate having a first set of teeth interdigitated with the knives of the lower crushing roller and a second set of teeth cooperating with the knives of the grinding roller, said first set of teeth having grooves therebetween receiving the knives of the lower crushing roller and providing a clearance therefor, said turnplate having a channel therethrough communicating with each groove for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, said second set of teeth having grooves therebetween discharging into the space between the knives of the lower grinding roller for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, and scrapers for said upper roller and said lower grinding roller, each scraper comprising a member extending the length of its associated roller and positioned closely adjacent thereto, each member having a plurality of blades interdigitated with the knives of its associated roller, said members having grooves between said blades receiving the knives of the associated rollers in closely spaced relation, said grooves having channels communicating therewith and extending through said members.

4. In a sugar cane mill having an upper roller operatively associated with a lower crushing roller and a lower grinding roller, each of said rollers having annular knives thereon, and a turnplate disposed between said lower rollers, said turnplate having a first set of teeth interdigitated with the knives of the lower crushing roller and a second set of teeth cooperating with the knives of the grinding roller, said first set of teeth having grooves therebetween receiving the knives of the lower crushing roller and providing a clearance therefor, said turnplate having a channel therethrough communicating with each groove for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, said second set of teeth having grooves therebetween discharging into the space between the knives of the lower grinding roller for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, said turnplate having its upper surface concave and equidistant from the upper roller.

5. In a sugar cane mill having an upper roller cooperatively associated with a lower crushing roller and a lower grinding roller, each of said rollers having annular knives thereon, a turnplate disposed between said lower rollers,

said turnplate having its upper surface concave and equidistant from the upper roller, the front edge of said turn plate being disposed in close proximity to the crushing roller and the rear edge of said turnplate being disposed in close proximity to the grinding roller, a first set of teeth formed on the front edge of said turnplate inter-digit ated with the knives of the lower crushing roller and having grooves therebetween to provide a clearance between the roller and turnplate teeth, said turnplate having a slot therethrough communicating with each groove for passing juice and bagasse therethrough, and teeth formed on the rear edge of said turnplate, the upper surface of said turnplate being provided with rearwardly extending grooves increasing in depth from the central portion of the turnplate to the rear edge of the turnplate and opening between the rear edge teeth to facilitate juice drainage from the rearward edge of said turnplate.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a turnplate having front and rear edges, said turnplate having a concave upper surface, teeth formed on the front edge of said turnplate, said turnplate having V-shaped grooves between said teeth and slots opening into the apices of said grooves, teeth formed on the rear edge of said turnplate, the upper surface of said turnplate having drain channels formed therein and opening between the teeth formed on the turnplate rear edge.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a turnplate having front and rear edges, said turnplate having a concave upper surface, teeth formed on the front edge of said turnplate, said turnplate having V-shaped grooves between said teeth and slots opening into the apices of said grooves, teeth formed on the rear edge of said turnplate, the upper surface of said turnplate having drain channels formed therein and opening between the teeth formed on the turnplate rear edge, said channels extending tangentially rearward from the central portion of the turnplate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,343,059 Miller June 8, 1920 1,456,430 Fisher May 22, 1923 1,759,896 Farrel May 27, 1930 1,933,766 Scharnberg Nov. 7, 1933 2,151,405 Hurter et al Mar. 21, 1939 2,314,074 Capay Mar. 16, 1943 2,417,210 Menzl Mar. 11, 1947 2,607,288 Munson Aug. 19, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 197,563 Great Britain May 17, 1923 

